By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 24 countries to compete in the EuroBasket 2025 are set.
On March 27, they will be split into four equal groups via a draw. The entire process culminating in an exciting tournament between August 27 to September 14 will highlight the offseason. However, notable absences include Croatia and Mario Hezonja.
With the field at 24 national teams since 2011, traditional powers mostly find a way to the final stage of the EuroBasket. In this case, Croatia eliminated for the first time was an exception.
Eurohoops compiled a Top 5 + 2 list with the most significant absences of the EuroBasket 2025.
Clint Capela
Switzerland was knocked out in the Pre-Qualifiers and instead focused on advancing to the second round of the Pre-Qualifiers of the FIBA World Cup 2027. The last EuroBasket appearance dates back to 1955.
Clint Capela, a veteran of 742 NBA games over the last ten years, represented his country before moving his talents to the league based in North America. Moving up to the senior national team, he played in the Qualifiers of the 2015 and 2017 installments of the EuroBasket. A berth in a summer tournament is necessary for him to consider resurfacing.
Down the stretch of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, Capela hopes to reach the Playoffs for the ninth time in his career and fourth with the Atlanta Hawks.
Mario Hezonja
Battling against France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia was on the wrong end of a three-way race for two tickets via Group E of the Qualifiers.
Mario Hezonja was on board for four games and delivered impressive showings, averaging 27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest, but was not enough to clinch a berth in the EuroBasket.
Refocusing on Real Madrid, lifting trophies at the conclusion of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Spain’s Liga Endesa campaigns emerge as the next goals.